Metamorphosis
June 2010
Meeting for Worship Sundays at 10 AM at Explorations Academy, 1701 Ellis Street, Bellingham
Phone 360-734-0244 Mailing Address P.O. Box 30144 Bellingham, 98228-2144 Website BellinghamFriends.org
Co-Clerks: Mimi Freshley, (922-0004) and Dorrie Jordan (354-3736) , Ministry and Counsel Members: Doris Ferm (756-0621), Mimi Freshley, Alice Robb (366-6005), Dorrie Jordan and Howard Harris (733-9071),
Childrens Program Clerk, Jessica Bee (393-4249)
Metamorphosis Editor: Sharon Trent (714-6141) Sharon_trent@comcast.net
Query for June
How does my community support me in becoming the person God hopes I will become? How well do I support others?
Plain Living, p. 147
Calendar
June 27 – Follow up on Retreat
July 04 – Potluck
July 11 – Meeting for Worship for Business
July 13-19 – NPYM Annual Session in Missoula, Montana. See NPYM.org for registration
Tuesday, July 20 – Book Discussion at 7:00 pm at the home of Judy Hopkinson (713-816-3009) to discuss
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Thursday, July 22, 6 p.m. Soup Supper at the home of Don Goldstein—see details below
July 25 – There is a worship and potluck at Quaker Cove with the FWCC Youth Pilgrimage.
Friends should check in with Alice if they are interested in attending.
August 1 – Meeting for Worship and a potluck picnic at Annelise Pysanky’s home (223-8438)
).
Tuesday, August 10 – Spirit Group will discuss Spirit Rising at the home of Sharon Trent (714-6141)
Eco suggestion of the month
The “Dirty Dozen” of fruits and vegetables that should always be bought in organic form, because they otherwise contain more than 47 pesticides per serving: apples, strawberries, peaches, cherries, nectarines, domestic blueberries, imported grapes, celery, potatoes, sweet bell peppers, spinach and lettuce. The “Clean 15” contain little or no pesticides: onions, sweet corn, avocados, cabbage, eggplant, sweet peas, asparagus, sweet onions, sweet potatoes, mangos, pineapples, Kiwi fruit, watermelon, cantaloupe and grapefruit.
WORK WITH YOUTH AT ANNUAL SESSION: Jon Strohbehn and Katie Uhte-Strohbehn, the Children’s Program Co-Coordinators for NPYM, are looking for volunteers interested in being teachers at Annual Session this year. Currently, there is a need for teachers for all age-groups (ranging from infants all the way to Central Friends). Individuals who decide to work as full-time teachers in the Children’s Program, will have all their Yearly Meeting expenses (food and lodging) paid for, and people who decide to work as part-time teachers, will get half their expenses covered. Teaching in the Children’s Program is a fun and wonderful way to experience Yearly Meeting, and we encourage everyone to consider this opportunity! Please let Jon and or Katie know if you are interested (or know of anyone who might be interested) in teaching. Jon’s contacts are strawmath@gmail.com and 360-695-4878 and Katie’s contacts are 360-220-6821 and k.uhtestro@yahoo.com. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you in the Montana sunshine and we thank you for your support!
Excerpts from a letter to BFM from Friends Journal June 2020
Friends Journal has won several honors with comments like “This publication does not shrink from challenging and difficult issues”. Friends everywhere should take heart that our content has received recognition from the oldest interdenominational press association in North America.
Perhaps the most telling award, and one in which we can take great satisfaction, was our award of Excellence -1st Place- for the Forum, our letters-to-the-editor. The judge, Dallas Morning News religion reporter wrote: “Obviously this is a forum where readers and writers expect a lively exchange of views on important subjects. So many publications have dumbed down and/or digested text. Friends Journal is holding the line.”
Economic challenges persists, and “It costs more to produce than we receive through subscriptions and ads, about $112 per subscription”. So if you are able to give generously, the Quaker community will be stronger for it. Through this unique and powerful ministry, and thousands of readers will have an opportunity to continue engaging on important and difficult issues.
Thank you for your generous support.
From Susan Corson-Finnerty, Publisher and Executive Editor
Ps “all gifts received by June 30 will count towards our current fiscal year”.
Travel Tales Soup Supper on July 22nd
Bellingham Friends and their families are invited to a Soup Supper at Don Goldstein’s home on Thursday, July 22nd, starting at 6 pm. The purpose of the gathering is to hear recent travel tales from our Friends Mimi Freshley, Bob Butterfield, and Annelise Pysanky.
In late May, Mimi and Bob spent two weeks traveling in China. At about the same time Annelise traveled by train across most of Canada and then visited a friend in upstate New York, Pendle Hill near Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. This is an opportunity for them to share with us, verbally and with photos, about their adventures. There will likely also be time for other Friends to share about their own recent travels or upcoming travel plans.
Soups (with a vegan option) and bread with various spreads will be provided for all who come. If you would like to bring a veggie, salad, or dessert to share, please do so but it’s not required. Children old enough that they don’t need supervision are welcome to come, and are encouraged to bring a book to read in case the after-dinner grownup discussion is not of interest.
Note that this event was tentatively announced (during Meeting for Business on June 13th) for June 28th, but needed to be rescheduled into July because of a scheduling conflict.
Please RSVP by July 20th with the number attending from your household, so we can make sure of having enough soup bowls, chairs, and so on, for everyone. If possible, do so by email to Don at dnx57@yahoo.com, with the subject of your message being “RSVP”. Thanks.
Summary and Report on the June 6, 2010 retreat: Envisioning the Future of our Meeting
About 30 adults attended. Many thoughtful ideas were expressed, which we will continue to explore future in the next months, including during the upcoming second hour scheduled for June 27. The retreat included two worship sharing sessions, worship, potluck, and a worship discussion session. The energy level built throughout the day, and participants greatly appreciated the opportunity to address these issues in more depth. The first session, Listening to our Visions, raised the following Queries: “How do you envision the future of our Meeting? How might we cultivate our community and reach out to newcomers? How might we best support children and families? What is your experience in or visiting a Meeting with its own Meetinghouse? Is there anything else in your heart or on your mind about our future?” The afternoon worship sharing session raised the query: “Setting aside the issue of funding, where would we want to gather for Worship? What might our ideal home look like? If we were to move to a long-term space, what might the time frame be?” The final afternoon session (worship discussion) revolved around next steps. “How do we balance our time, energy and financial resources between the space we use and other needs of the Meeting, such as outreach, peace and social concerns, and children’s program?” Among the themes that emerged were an interest in outreach and the possibility of setting up an ad hoc committee and a desire to deepen the spiritual sense of community. There was interest in learning more about Quaker Quest and other outreach programs. Some felt that a meetinghouse might increase our visibility in the community. Many felt that we are not yet ready for all the responsibility of a meetinghouse of our own. The children also addressed visioning, and reported to us that they would like more adults to play with the children, more games and crafts, and an outdoor play area. We encourage people to attend the second hour June 27, whether you were able to come to the retreat or not,, which will follow-up on the wonderful energy and themes that emerged. More detailed notes may be available at a later time.
Interfaith Coalition seeks handy volunteers
Interfaith Coalition relies on volunteers to maintain our nine Interfaith Family Housing units, which provide shelter and case management support to local homeless families. There are many opportunities for volunteers to keep our houses in tiptop shape. Some spring and summer projects needing volunteers include indoor and outdoor painting, cleaning gutters, minor electrical and plumbing repairs, carpentry projects, and yard work. We are developing a list of volunteers that we can call on for occasional help. Interested? Please call us at 734-3983.
Draft Minutes for Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business – June 13, 2010
Clerk: Mimi Freshley
Recording Clerk: Betty McMahon
Present: Howard Harris, Joanne Cowan, Tom Hall, Jessica Bee, Judy Hopkinson; Jane Campbell, Virginia Herrick, Doris Ferm, Alice Robb, Maddie Solenberger, Dorrie Jordan, Allen Stockbridge, Larry, Dave Hopkinson, Lorina Hall, Susan Richardson, Don Goldstein
Our Meeting for Business began with opening silence.
Our History – Howard Harris shared some interesting historical trivia about William Penn. His statue in Philadelphia is 37 inches tall. Penn was born in 1644, just four years before the end of the Thirty Years War. The size of Germany’s population had decreased by 50%, and it was a time of turmoil in Europe, especially in England. It was during the time of Calvinism (reformers). Penn attended private school up until he was 12 years old, and by this time had already mastered Latin and Greek. He next was tutored, and then attended Oxford. He was very interested in religious issues, due to his experience at Oxford, and went to France to participate in Theology. In 1665, Penn was sent to Ireland as a result of the plague epidemic in England, and here he became an advocate of Quakerism. When he returned to England, he preached the beliefs of the Religious Society of Friends; however this was not acceptable in an Anglican land at this time. Penn was arrested, and the jury was instructed to find him guilty. The jury returned a guilty verdict of “talking in public,” which was not a crime. Consequently, the jury was imprisoned. This instigated a major turning point (jurisprudence). In 1670, the jury was given the right to decide upon a verdict rather than the judge. Since Penn’s father, Admiral Sir William Penn, was owed a large sum of money for his accomplishments, William Penn (junior) was given land, which became the colony of Pennsylvania and a place of open thinkers.
Our Future – Our wishes for our future were discussed last week at the retreat. Thank you was expressed to the Ad Hoc Retreat Committee, Hospitality, Don Goldstein, Children’s Program, Daniel Kirkpatrick for the new carpet and renovated kitchen, and the Friends who volunteered to supervise the Quaker table at the Saturday Farmers Market.
Agenda – A member concern about Friends Journal was added to the agenda.
Approval to Minutes – The minutes were approved after the following corrections were made: In the Nominating Committee report it was noted that Jessica Bee’s nomination as clerk of Children’s Committee was accepted for seasoning. On page four of the FWCC report, the correct spelling is Schoder-Ehri. Page seven, section D-4 of the FCWPP should read: 5% over $200,000 (single income), 5% over $400,000 (couple income), 9% over $500,000 (single income), and 9% over $1,000,000 (couples income). In the Meetinghouse report, a floor plan was suggested.
Committee Reports
Ministry & Counsel (Alice Robb) – Query for June: from Plain Living page 147: How does my community support me in becoming the person God hopes I will become? How well do I support others?
This committee feels that the retreat was very valuable in hearing Friends’ visions for the future of our meeting and that there was strong energy for developing more outreach and visibility in the larger community. We look forward to sharing more about the ideas from the retreat and finding our way forward. There is a 2nd hour scheduled for follow up on the ideas from the retreat on June 26.
2nd Hour schedule: June 20 – Celebration of John Helding’s membership, sample of SPICES program; June 27 – Follow up on Retreat; July 04 – Potluck; July 11 – Meeting for Worship for Business
Note: For the summer, we think there might be less interest in 2nd hours, and there might not be something scheduled for every week. On the other hand, if a Friend or committee has something they would like to present for a 2nd hour, this is a less busy time, and there are some open weeks. Please let M&C know if you have something to present, so you can be on the schedule.
Other upcoming events: July 13-19, some Friends will be gone to Missoula for NPYM Annual Session. On July 25, some Friends will be traveling to Quaker Cove to worship and share potluck with the FWCC Youth Pilgrimage. Friends should check in with Alice if they are interested in attending. August 1, we will have meeting for worship for picnic at Annelise’s house.
Scholarship assistance: M&C has allocated $100 in scholarship funds for one of the Friends attending AS in Missoula.
Membership: In May, Bellingham Friends Meeting received a letter from Salt Lake City Meeting asking for transfer of membership to our meeting for Allen Stockbridge. A visiting committee will meet with him this month. Meanwhile, we ask for this transfer to season, and his membership will be celebrated when he next returns from his travels.
After Alice presented her M & C Report, there was a discussion about Clearness Committees; A Friend expressed the desire that every Quaker should be aware of Clearness Committees and Care Committees.
Children’s Committee – Tess Solenberger has been hired as a back-up childcare provider effective once her paperwork has been completed. The next Children’s Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, June 16th, at the home of Adrienne Solenberger (7:30 p.m.).
Nominating Committee – (Virginia Herrick)
Member Concerns –
1) Allen Stockbridge’s release from membership from Salt Lake Religious Society of Friends was shared, as was his request to set wheels in motion for transfer to Bellingham Friends Meeting membership.
2) Lorina Hall’s interest about Friends Journal will be inserted into Metamorphosis rather than discussed now.
3) There is a soup supper scheduled for Thursday, July 22, 6 p.m. at the home of Don Goldstein. We will be gathering to hear about the recent travels of Mimi Freshley and Bob Butterfield as well as Annelise Pysanky.
4) Whatcom Peace & Justice Center has requested that Bellingham Friends Meeting co-sponsor an event scheduled for September 30, 2010. The speaker will be Captain Paul K. Chapell who will address noninvolvement in the R.O.T.C. Our meeting approved.
5) A Member concern presented by Don Goldstein:
As a follow-up to an idea presented verbally during the meeting retreat on June 6th, Don proposed that an ad hoc committee of up to four BFM members and/or attenders be established with a maximum life of eight months for the purpose of researching, developing, and proposing the constitution and initial job description of a standing Outreach Committee for BFM. We would not be committing ourselves to establish such a standing committee by approving this proposal, but only setting in motion a process that may or may not lead to such establishment once a concrete proposal is received. The ad hoc committee would not authorized to do outreach on our behalf, but rather to suggest some specific forms of outreach (enhancing our visibility in the Bellingham/Whatcom County community) that the new standing committee, if created, would be authorized and encouraged to perform. Some forms of within-meeting inreach (community-building and adult education: enhancing our connections and knowledge of one another, of Quakerism, and of the wider Quaker world) might also be included in the proposed charge of the new standing committee if the ad hoc committee so agrees. Like other ad hoc committees, it is suggested that this one be populated by Friends who volunteer for it, without formal nominations, and that it name its own clerk. Since the possible establishment of an Outreach Committee has already received some discussion within the Nominating Committee, Don suggested that this ad hoc committee should include at least one member of the Nominating Committee who is familiar with the prior discussion.
Following discussion with Virginia Herrick, it is also suggested that the ad hoc committee be directed to report on its work to the Ministry & Counsel Committee and invite that committee’s input prior to making any recommendations to BFM as a whole. More generally, Don expressed flexibility with regard to all the details of the proposal and that his priority was mainly to get something concrete into Metamorphosis for discussion and seasoning. With the understanding that this proposal would be up for seasoning at the Second Hour retreat follow-up on June 27th, along with other ideas put forward during the retreat, Don withdrew his request that the proposal now be formally accepted for seasoning.